Follow Your Curiosity

CPT #114: Take Action

It can be one of the hardest things to convince ourselves to do when the voices of doubt, self-judgment, and perfectionism are up to their old tricks, but it really is important to take action, not just think about it. I'll tell you why—and how—in this short episode.

If watching your kids build a pillow fort makes you wonder where the heck that zany, wild, playful part of yourself went...it's time to Make Bad Art. Doors are open now for a new cohort starting on October 14.  (Use code PODCAST101 for $100 off!)

 

Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist!

Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! 

If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark! 

The Power of Saying "Yes" with Will Brooks

Will Brooks is a freelance artist and designer who mostly works with licensed properties, especially Doctor Who. For five years, Will was the in-house ‘photo’ artist for Titan Comics’ Doctor Who ranges, providing more than 160 covers. He’s also produced artwork for Big Finish Productions and the Doctor Who Experience, and was the lead artist and designer for the second edition of Cubicle 7’s Doctor Who RPG, for which he also wrote material.

Will joins me to talk about how he got his start with licensed artwork, the process of creating covers for Titan and Big Finish, the power of just doing something when nothing seems to be coming together creatively, helpful criticism vs. tearing folks’ work down,  the effects of leaving social media, and more.

 

If you’re tired of your inner critic running amok in your head and you're ready to confine it to quarters, Make Bad Art: Ditch Perfectionism and Have Fun Doing It starts on October 14!

 

Episode breakdown:

00:00 - Intro

01:10 - Creative Childhood

04:54 - Starting with Doctor Who Art

13:18 - Art School Lessons

15:34 - Art School Experience

19:14 - Impostor Syndrome Insights

24:54 - Beginning in Doctor Who Comics

30:14 - Comic Cover Creation

32:28 - Sources of Creativity

40:00 - Comic Cover Process

42:58 - Social Media Impact

47:10 - Importance of Consistency

50:26 - Facebook Manipulation

56:34 - Current Projects

59:57 - Conclusion

Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in Doctor Who and visual arts.

If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack.

Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks!

 

CPT #113: The Electricity of Aliveness

You've probably heard someone describe a performance as "electric," or "electrifying," and may even have used that term yourself. But how does that kind of performance happen, and what does it have to tell you about your creative practice? I'll tell you in this short episode.

If watching your kids build a pillow fort makes you wonder where the heck that zany, wild, playful part of yourself went...it's time to Make Bad Art. Doors are open now for a new cohort starting on October 14.

Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist!

Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! 

If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark! 

Making TV Magic from Scratch with Richard Wilmore

My guest this week is Richard Wilmore, the host and executive producer of the wildly successful daily talk and variety series Make Your Day Richer TV. From 2016 to 2022, he hosted the award-winning The Richard Wilmore Show. He also co-hosts the Wolf Media Fest podcast. Behind the scenes, Richard helps numerous podcasts and livestreams with production, editing, and talent booking needs through his company, Make Your Day Richer.

Richard talks with me about how he found his calling as a talk show host, why you should start where you are with what you have, the challenges of making work for hire and turning your art into a business, the importance (and difficulties) of listening to yourself, and a lot more.

Episode breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

04:09 Supportive parents let Richard explore.

09:06 Young Richard pretended to be a weatherperson, then talk show host.

13:11 Performing as himself felt natural, but nerves still linger.

17:16 Richard describes building colorful sets to energize his shows.

22:18 Created talk show sets in basements, bedrooms, and studios.

27:04 Richard and Nancy reflect on starting shows with minimal gear.

32:44 Burnout can happen even doing what you love most.

37:15 Turning creativity into business poses unexpected challenges for artists.

41:21 Listening to your gut is crucial but not always easy.

46:29 Self-doubt and outside opinions complicate creative decisions and direction.

51:49 Guests surprise Richard; reaching out directly often leads to yes.

 

Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in writing and theatre.

 

If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

Check out the full show notes at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack.

Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks!

CPT #112: Embrace Your Weird

All those little things you think are weird about you? They're the things that make you unique. That make you stand out. It's time you embrace them instead of running from them. I'll tell you why in this short episode.

 

If you’re tired of waiting for “someday”—which is NOT a day of the week—to get unstuck and step toward your creative dream, we should talk.

Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist!

Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! 

If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark! 

Listen Again: Poetry and Viral Success with Jennae Cecelia

Jennae Cecelia is a best-selling author and poet known for her poetry books, Uncaged Wallflower, The Sun Will Rise and So Will We, and Healing for No One But Me. Her mission as an author is to comfort and encourage people. In addition to writing, she is focused on helping other authors learn how to successfully put their writing out into the world. Jennae joins me to talk about how she got her start with poetry, including her family’s reaction to the idea of poetry as a career; the unexpected experience of having a viral self-published poetry book; how she helps other authors master the art of self-publishing; what it’s like writing custom poetry for others, and more.

Original release date: February 26, 2025

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction
01:10 Jennae discusses her childhood imagination and family influences
03:55 Role models and seeing creativity as a realistic pursuit
05:16 Leaning into creativity after early publishing success
08:07 Family reactions to pursuing poetry as a career
10:49 Reflecting on misconceptions about job security and risks
13:39 Jennae's self-publishing strategies and viral book success
16:56 Building momentum with multiple books and Amazon rankings
20:36 The importance of poetry in paperback form
22:38 Impacts of viral success on her perspective and career
26:14 Jennae's writing process, journey from simplicity to detail
30:07 Finding readers through specificity in poetry
33:00 Advice for authors and importance of perseverance
37:34 Managing perfectionism in writing and publishing
40:49 Custom poetry projects and their meaningful connections
45:56 Emotional experiences writing for others, from weddings to memorials
49:12 Deciding to traditionally publish for broader reach and goals
55:09 Reflecting on the challenges and anticipation of traditional publishing

Want more? Here's a handy playlist with all my previous interviews with guests in writing.

 

Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack.

Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks!

If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

CPT #111: Suffering Is Optional

There's a pervasive notion out in the world that art requires suffering, that suffering for it makes you more noble...etc. etc. etc. 

If you've fallen prey to this belief, you can relax: I'm about to tell you why it's nonsense.

 

If you’re tired of waiting for “someday”—which is NOT a day of the week—to get unstuck and step toward your creative dream, we should talk.

 

Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist!

Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! 

If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark! 

Radio, Novels, and Surprising Twists with Nev Fountain

Nev Fountain is an award-winning writer, chiefly known for his work on the BBC sketch show Dead Ringers in both TV and radio incarnations. He has also contributed to many other programs, including Have I Got News for You and Newzoids. He is a principal gag writer for satirical magazine Private Eye and contributes to every issue.

He first came to write for Doctor Who when he script-edited the BBC online story "Death Comes to Time" in 2001, and has gone on to write some of Big Finish’s most popular audios, including "The Kingmaker" and "Peri and the Piscon Paradox." His books include The Mervyn Stone Mysteries, The Fan Who Knew too Much, and its sequel, Lies and Dolls, which was released in July.

Nev talks with me about how he got his start writing radio comedy, the challenges of writing comedy even about very serious events, writing for various forms and media, leaving room to be surprised as you’re writing, and more.

Episode breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

04:02 Teachers encouraged Nev; family humor shaped his view.

08:21 Comedy influences: The Young Ones, Blackadder, Hitchhiker’s Guide.

12:27 Breaking into radio comedy.

16:03 Playwriting taught Nev what makes audiences laugh—live.

20:22 Writing comedy about tragic events; satire offers relief and perspective.

24:23 Dead Ringers’ hiatus, revival, and Jon Culshaw’s Tom Baker calls.

28:47 Sketches with Ozzy Osbourne, behind-the-scenes stories from TV comedy.

33:46 Nev’s serendipitous first Doctor Who project, "Death Comes to Time."

39:23 The process and impact of "Death Comes to Time" explained.

46:31 Challenges and expectations of writing “big” stories in franchises.

52:18 Emphasizing medium-specific storytelling; novels, radio, TV all differ.

58:14 Enjoying creative surprises; writing unfolds beyond outlines or plans.

Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in writing, theatre, and Doctor Who.

 

If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

Check out the full show notes--with videos of Nev's work and links to his books—at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack.

Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks!

If you’re tired of waiting for “someday”—which is NOT a day of the week—to get unstuck and step toward your creative dream, we should talk. 

 

 

 

 

CPT #110: Are You Good Enough?

Hamstrung by the notion that you're not enough? This is the episode for you. I have two reasons why you're wrong in this short episode.

If you're tired of feeling like you can't get out of your own way and want to FINALLY make some progress toward your creative dreams, let's talk! 

 

Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist!

Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! 

If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark! 

Working Moms, Power Struggles, and Creative Liberation with Elle Jaye

Elle Jaye supports powerful and resilient working moms who want to put an end to the power struggles with their child, so they become a strong team instead of adversaries. The working moms realize they are women first, and mothering is another job they do. By disrupting this mindset, the women step into their power and resilience as an extension of their values and intent for their children. Elle joins me to talk about how she discovered her creative side in her 20s, how we normalize and pass on relationship and parenting patterns, how we can see adults as atrophied children rather than seeing children as mini adults, and more.

 

Episode breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

04:24 Childhood curiosity suppressed, later recognized as problem-solving and questioning.

08:00 Creativity awakens through coloring and relaxing with children.

12:00 Daughters express creativity differently; family talents traced back generations.

16:26 Watching movies as family sparks deeper curiosity and connection.

20:10 Analyzing shows reveals generational patterns, manipulation, and emotional awareness gaps.

24:39 Parenting styles shaped by media; Cosby Show inspires new possibilities.

28:27 Realizing art and creativity were present through connection and escapism.

32:00 Family meetings on TV offered models for healthy communication.

36:41 Adults repeat childhood patterns unless they intentionally choose to change.

41:00 Children should not be seen as mini adults; generational shifts.

46:00 Letting go of control, discovering healthy ways to parent.

51:00 Play, fun, and creativity help shift negative energy and judgment.

56:00 Awareness of presence, connecting with nature improves perspective and creativity.

 

If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack.

Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks!

If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own creativity, we should talk.